Parents are Role Models, Children are Copycats

FatFighter — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:00:58 +0000

The way you eat and exercise isn’t just about you – it’s also about your kids. So check out today’s guest post from family therapist and fitness coach, Sara Holliday of Fit By Sara. You better watch yourself, because your kids sure are!

Ever noticed when your child is upset that he or she says something in the same tone that you did when you’re angry? Ever noticed your child imitating you? Children are copycats, and we are their role models. So it’s important that we engage in positive behaviors so our children grow up as healthy, well adjusted adults.

I learned the lesson well a couple of days ago when I heard my 5 year old son, Ty telling his two year old brother, Kaden not to do something in a stern and unforgiving voice. I said to myself, “Wow, is that what I sound like when I’m upset?” Just as I tell Ty to take deep breaths before he reacts, I need to listen to my own advice and take deep breaths before reacting too! Children are copycats and good reminders too.

When clients say they’re having problems getting motivated to fit in exercise, I remind them that they are their children’s role models. I ask them, “Do you want your children to have body image issues and weight problems?” This is often a wake up call my clients need to get in gear.

Making exercise fun will encourage your children to be involved. Ty and I recently did a half hour of yoga together for the first time (unlike our usual 2 min. sessions). It was very powerful to see how much Ty loved it as did I! At the end we sat facing each other. We placed one hand on each other’s hearts and focused on the love we had for each other. When the session was over he said he felt so relaxed he actually wanted to go to bed!

Parents can encourage healthy food choices too by associating positive effects with a good choice. For example, my husband Brad tells our boys that fruit and veggies are “power foods” that will make them grow strong and tall. I always chuckle to myself when Ty exclaims, “I’m having a power grape!”

I’ve found the key to being a good role model is to be conscious of how much my behavior influences my children’s future. I know that when I get off track I’ll quickly be reminded! So as much as possible I vow to respect my children, eat healthy yet enjoy one yummy pleasure a day, exercise consistently and do yoga, and most importantly give lots and lots of love!

Get your FREE copy of "Recipes and Tips for Healthy, Thrifty Meals" Download e-book here.

Jennifer Love Hewitt defends her bod

FatFighter — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:59:44 +0000

Source: SplashNewsOnline.com

All I have to say to Jennifer Love Hewitt is, “You go, girl!” I just finished reading some super mean comments about the pictures of JLH on TMZ.com. In case you don’t know, photos of her in a bikini in Hawaii have been making the rounds on the Web with a lot of criticism about her body – and she’s a size 2!

Now the star of “Ghost Whisperer” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer” is speaking out. On her blog she writes, “I’ve sat by in silence for a long time now about the way women’s bodies are constantly scrutinized. To set the record straight, I’m not upset for me, but for all of the girls out there that are struggling with their body image.”

“A size 2 is not fat! Nor will it ever be. And being a size 0 doesn’t make you beautiful.”

“What I should be doing is celebrating some of the best days of my life and my engagement to the man of my dreams, instead of having to deal with photographers taking invasive pictures from bad angles. I know what I look like, and so do my friends and family. And like all women out there should, I love my body.”

“To all girls with butts, boobs, hips and a waist, put on a bikini — put it on and stay strong.”

Amen, sister! It is so important to have a healthy body image. And as a role model, I applaud her.

Get your FREE copy of "Recipes and Tips for Healthy, Thrifty Meals" Download e-book here.

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Parents are Role Models, Children are Copycats

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